Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding
The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of two dietary regimens, characterized by different forage-to-concentrate ratios, on feed intake, milk yield and composition, as well as economic and environmental sustainability in lactating buffalo cows. Group H was fed a high-forage diet, while Group...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Lorenzo Infascelli Nadia Musco Piera Iommelli Giuseppe Vassalotti Francesco Capezzuto Fabio Zicarelli Valeria Maria Morittu Anna Antonella Spina Federico Infascelli Raffaella Tudisco |
| author_facet | Lorenzo Infascelli Nadia Musco Piera Iommelli Giuseppe Vassalotti Francesco Capezzuto Fabio Zicarelli Valeria Maria Morittu Anna Antonella Spina Federico Infascelli Raffaella Tudisco |
| author_sort | Lorenzo Infascelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of two dietary regimens, characterized by different forage-to-concentrate ratios, on feed intake, milk yield and composition, as well as economic and environmental sustainability in lactating buffalo cows. Group H was fed a high-forage diet, while Group L was fed a diet with a lower forage-to-concentrate ratio. Despite a lower energy value (Unit for Feed Lactation: UFL 0.89 vs. 0.91), the diet of group H met the animals’ nutritional requirements, with similar dry matter intake (DMI) and body condition scores observed in both groups. While there was no significant difference in milk yield, protein, and lactose, group H exhibited significantly higher milk fat content and an enhanced fatty acid profile, characterized by increased oleic acid, conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids have been linked to potential health benefits in humans, including anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects. From an economic perspective, the H group’s diet was found to be more cost-effective, resulting in EUR 0.46 savings per head per day and a higher yield of mozzarella cheese. From an environmental perspective, the high-forage diet reduced reliance on imported concentrates and irrigation-dependent crops, aligning with sustainable development goals. In conclusion, increasing the forage content in buffalo diets has been demonstrated to support animal performance, improve milk quality, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic returns for producers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99b3af460cfb41e6a5f30178c3f1e8ab |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-99b3af460cfb41e6a5f30178c3f1e8ab2025-08-20T02:48:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514205010.3390/ani15142050Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo BreedingLorenzo Infascelli0Nadia Musco1Piera Iommelli2Giuseppe Vassalotti3Francesco Capezzuto4Fabio Zicarelli5Valeria Maria Morittu6Anna Antonella Spina7Federico Infascelli8Raffaella Tudisco9Department of Economics and Law, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, 80100 Naples, ItalyThe present study aimed to evaluate the impact of two dietary regimens, characterized by different forage-to-concentrate ratios, on feed intake, milk yield and composition, as well as economic and environmental sustainability in lactating buffalo cows. Group H was fed a high-forage diet, while Group L was fed a diet with a lower forage-to-concentrate ratio. Despite a lower energy value (Unit for Feed Lactation: UFL 0.89 vs. 0.91), the diet of group H met the animals’ nutritional requirements, with similar dry matter intake (DMI) and body condition scores observed in both groups. While there was no significant difference in milk yield, protein, and lactose, group H exhibited significantly higher milk fat content and an enhanced fatty acid profile, characterized by increased oleic acid, conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids have been linked to potential health benefits in humans, including anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anticarcinogenic effects. From an economic perspective, the H group’s diet was found to be more cost-effective, resulting in EUR 0.46 savings per head per day and a higher yield of mozzarella cheese. From an environmental perspective, the high-forage diet reduced reliance on imported concentrates and irrigation-dependent crops, aligning with sustainable development goals. In conclusion, increasing the forage content in buffalo diets has been demonstrated to support animal performance, improve milk quality, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic returns for producers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2050high forage dietbuffalo milksustainability |
| spellingShingle | Lorenzo Infascelli Nadia Musco Piera Iommelli Giuseppe Vassalotti Francesco Capezzuto Fabio Zicarelli Valeria Maria Morittu Anna Antonella Spina Federico Infascelli Raffaella Tudisco Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding Animals high forage diet buffalo milk sustainability |
| title | Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding |
| title_full | Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding |
| title_fullStr | Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding |
| title_short | Diet with High Forage:Concentrate Ratio Improves Milk Nutritional Properties and Economic Sustainability of Buffalo Breeding |
| title_sort | diet with high forage concentrate ratio improves milk nutritional properties and economic sustainability of buffalo breeding |
| topic | high forage diet buffalo milk sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2050 |
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